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Holiday Gift Buying Goes Mobile in 2011: Webroot Research

Purchases via mobile devices will more than double while the majority of users leave their data and devices exposed to security risks

Broomfield, CO – November 17, 2011

The power and portability of smartphones and tablets will save time and money for many people this holiday season. Over two times more shoppers plan to purchase gifts and 50 percent more plan to book travel using their mobile devices this year, according to new research from Webroot, a leader in delivering Internet security as a service. But convenience may come at a cost for those who skip certain measures to secure their devices and personal data.

In a survey of 1,215 mobile device users, Webroot assessed people's preferences for using mobile devices versus traditional means for researching and buying holiday gifts, and for planning and booking holiday trips. In addition, Webroot explored how people secure themselves on their mobile devices.

Webroot found that 50 percent are likely to purchase holiday gifts using their smartphone or tablet this year - up from 22 percent who did so in 2010. Additionally, one third (33 percent) of respondents plan to use their mobile devices to book holiday travel, up from 22 percent who did so in 2010. But only 40 percent of respondents have a security app installed to block threats or remotely lock and locate a lost device, and a surprising 53 percent leave their devices unlocked - potentially exposing their personal information to prying eyes.

"People using mobile devices are exposed to a new set of online risks: cybercriminals seed mobile markets with malicious apps that can steal your personal data or send texts and SMS messages to premium numbers. And because of their size, smartphones and tablets are easier to lose or have stolen than laptops and notebooks, which puts the vast amounts of personal data stored on them at risk. Mobile security services are now a must -- lost device protection, secure web browsing, and antimalware provide essential protection," said Chad Bacher, vice president of Mobile Solutions at Webroot.

Webroot found several differences between how US and UK residents prefer to use their mobile devices during the holiday season. Webroot also found several key differences in behavior among age groups, gender, and people using devices on the AndroidTM and iOS operating systems.

Key Findings:

The US favors mobile devices for holiday shopping while the UK leverages them for travel planning:

UK travelers use their mobile devices more intensively than those in the US while planning trips this holiday season:

80 percent of UK travelers use mobile devices to compare hotel or ticket prices versus 72 percent in the US.

Securing Mobile Devices

Know your apps: Download apps only from a trusted source, like the Google Market, Apple App Store or Amazon App Store. Closely scrutinize the permissions the app requests, and don't install it if it wants to access certain functions that it doesn't need, such as the ability to send SMS messages. User reviews are also helpful.

Lock your device: Most smartphones and tablets give you a choice of locking the device with a password, numeric code or pattern. Take advantage of this - if nothing else, you'll prevent practical jokesters from emailing your boss if you leave your device unattended.

About the Research

Webroot conducted a blind online survey November 4-7, 2011 in the United States and United Kingdom, using Research Now panel members. Respondents qualified for the survey if they were at least 18 years old, own a smartphone or tablet, and plan to purchase holiday gifts and/or make holiday travel arrangements using a smartphone or tablet. The margin of error in the United States is ±3.6 (835 respondents), and ±4.4 in the United Kingdom (490 respondents).

Über Webroot

Webroot delivers next-generation endpoint security and threat intelligence services to protect businesses and individuals around the globe. Our smarter approach harnesses the power of cloud-based collective threat intelligence derived from millions of real-world devices to stop threats in real time and help secure the connected world. Our award-winning SecureAnywhere® endpoint solutions and BrightCloud® Threat Intelligence Services protect tens of millions of devices across businesses, home users, and the Internet of Things. Trusted and integrated by market-leading companies, including Cisco, F5 Networks, Aruba, Palo Alto Networks, A10 Networks, and more, Webroot is headquartered in Colorado and operates globally across North America, Europe, and Asia. Discover Smarter Cybersecurity™ solutions at www.webroot.com.